davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

''Then why don't he tell her so? warn't
tongue-tied when l was courtin' YOU'D en."
'No, but he's different; he's that bashful
that he never dared to touch her hand. And
the worst of it is, John, Mildred is IN RtD
with him. l know the symptoms well
enough when l see 'em.'
"But about our Christmas company,
there'n be nobody in the spare room to-
night unless go out into the highways aud
by-ways and ask lem III, and it's too late n0W
for that. Hullol what's thats"
Thud thud thud came something bump
ing along the front of the house, and then,
bang it went, against the front door,
Mrs. Hastings went and dragged out an
old shotgun that hadn't been fired off in a
dozen years.
protect yourself, Johnp' she said, in u
shaky voice.
For an answer Mr.. Hastings pulled open
the outer door. A dark object lay across
the threshold.
''Bring light, wife. Jerushyl if it amt
Seth Franklin flung right plumb at u.s."
sits a runaway said Mrs. Hastings,
who could discern the faint sounds of
horses retreating feet.
81 hope he ANTI He did not say the
word, but lifted the insensible man into the
house, where he had the satisfaction of see.
ing that he breathed regularly. Indeed, he
was not seriously hurt, for, as, he slowly,
opened his eyes, he said, in a dazed way:
mildred kicked, and then run away.
expect she's running yet. Whoa there,
Mildred, Whoa''
'fHe means his horse, expect" suggest
ed Mr.. Hastings
'Eh-oh-Where am I-Your honor, the
case is called
.'This isn't the courtroom" said Mr..
Hastings, laughing hoarsely. Grouse up,
man. You've been pitched in among friends.
Are you hurts Emmy bones broke?'
"No, Mr.. Hastings, I'm all right now, but
it was close call, that I'm only bruised
and shaken up some."
swell, wife. fetch some arnilzv and
we'll soon find the bruises. Come to think
of it you'll have to stay all night, and that's
good luck for US. We've got Christmas
company to entertain after all, Jenny"
Seth Franklin was very willing to settle,
down for the night in that comfortable
home. he who had no home at all now that
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

measly little fifteen-cent neoktie, with a
piece of paper with his name in big letters
pinned to it. ~ A
SWELL" said Mrs Symperton, ST am de-
termined that you shall have no cause to
complain. I'm going out this very after
noon and I'll get you something real hand
some"
"For Heavens sake, woman, remember
that have to pay for it. When you buy
presents, try and keep your presence of
mind. Don't bankrupt the family.n
sNever you mind and what are you goin g
to buy mes'
I 81 expect you know already. No married
man from the day of Adam to right now
ever made success in trying to hide a
Christmas present from his wife,
81 hope she will get book" said Tommy
gssI mean handbook or fat pocket-book,
so she can get me decent present What
do you think Billy Jones' pa gave him last
Christmas? Took him to barber-shop and
had his hair cut. Billy says he expects his
pa will take him to a dentist and have a
tooth pulled this Christmas" seH
'Poor boy! Didn't his mother give him
any thing on Christmas?"
eyes; she sewed some buttons on his
clothes That was her Christmas present
If 1 had that sort of parents I'd swap them
off for dog and shoot the dog.n t- et.'
''The Jones' are almost as mean as a man
] heard about. He lived in Galveston,
Tex" resumed Symperton, "and his name
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

for the dainty hostess to begin her toilette.
4 Hastily ringing bell for a messenger,
she waited impatiently. Madam Moore her
self entered, in disrnay.
ooh Miss Ellerton, the messengers have
all gone home, and Miss Bolton's costume
not vet delivered; what shall dog and she
wrung her hands~in despair. "That idle
Jane, babe her await my orders and find
her not here; the robe must go, it will cost
me Miss Bottoms patronage if it is not de-
livered in season."
ssDo not distress yourself, Madam Imy-
sell. will deliver the garment at Miss Boil
toms residence"
sob, thank you, but it is a long distance,
do you know where it tss'
81 know, she replied, bitterly thinking
! of the many times she had gone as guest
where she now proposed to go as servant,
but she would leave the box at the door, and
not see any of the family.
8 She stopped at her own humble homo to
tell her mother where she was going, and
then started on her errand.
4 The house she sought was miles away,
on the west side of the great city, and when
she left the streetrcars she was still some
distance away, and to her dismay she found
the hour much later than she thought, and
"a driving snow-storm blowing from the
'boundless prairies, joined to many changes
in the city, completely bewildered her.
Meantime the maid had finished the ar
rangement of Miss Bottoms hair, and only
awaited the arrival of the robe to complete
the picture of as beautifula sprite as ever
1eftf fairy land. 81
''It grows late. Miss Constance-what
/ shall dosn 500
{ II can't understand it. Madam Moore
said she would submit my idea to the de-
signer, and she promised a complete sue
cess-something unique. She never disap-
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21


ers."
"He is so kind,n said Mrs. Symperton.
81 amt going to miss Sunday-school no
more.' fs-
sSThat's right, Tommy be a good boy,n
said Mrs. Symperton.
'sWe are going to have popcorn balls ON
the Christmas tree
81 thought so, - remarked Symperton, 50
few popcorn balls ON O Christmas tree will
interest boy more in religion than dozen
real MIRACLES
ssYou must have been there, pa, when you
was boy" said Tommy.
sTll bet that boy don't know right now
what is the meaning and significance of
Christmas said Mr.. Symperton.
eyes, he does, Charles. Tommy what
happened on Christmass"
at showed. At least it did last Christ
mas. hope it will be slippery this Christ
mas SO / can fix a slide on the sidewalk like
/ did last Christmas. 1t was such fun to
hear pa swear and see him rub himself.
And ma, you remember how you slid ever
SO far You travelled on your shape then,
! didn't you mas You bet know what hap
pened on Christmas" ss sef,
ssYou can go 10 bed, Tommy" said Mr..
and Mrs. Symperton, simultaneously
Exit Tommy singing
" A boy will eat, and boy will drink
And a boy Will play all day; f'
But boy can't work ana boy can't think
Because he amt built that way"
ALEX Z. SWEET.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

pensive sort of a woman much given to
signing. Symperton himself was remarka-
bly, matter of fact Tommy was a typical
American boy.
''The happy Christmas season is once
more upon US. This is the time in which Of
all times of the year every remedial sorrow
and trouble in the world around US should
be active with US for all good" said Mrs
Symperton.
Mr. Symperton grunted.
'sThe good will, the kind thoughts con-
tinued Mrs. S., 1.-THE genial benevolence of
this sacred season."
''That reminds me,n interrupted Symper-
ton, ssthat last, Christmas l clipped a little
piece of poetry from some newspaper on
this very subject. 1t was so appropriate
that put it in my pocketbook. I've got it
yet Here it ISL
30, Charles, you must give it to me for
my album Is it about the shepherds watch
ing their focks, and the wise men from the
East bringing their gifts?"
"Yes; it's something about gifts. I'll
read it to you.''
by gracious I remember
Many Christmasses forlOrn,
The CHASTITY way in which the bills
Came pouring in each morn;
They never, never, ceased to come, +uf
And recall to-day
Just how often wished the night
Ell Would bear my breath away al
Mrs. Symperton could scarcely master
her disgust, and she was about to say some
thing severe.
"Yes,n continued Symperton, "it's all
very well to talk about yule logs, mistletoe
and the like, but the holidays are as full of
discrepancies as shad is of bones. We
all eat and drink too much about these
times. know last Christmas felt as If
bad hystero=epilepsy incipient hydrophobia
with trance complications"
"Perhaps you were sick" said Tommy,
looking up from his book.
SYou keep quiet sir. It's you children
that make the holidays so uncomfortable"
81 don't think, Charles, that you should
talk that way. Heaven sends US Christ
mas
Sand the devil sends US the bills"
"Don't talk about the bills now. BY the
way, Charles, what would you like for
Christmass"
81 know what I'd like if I didn't have to
pay for it, but guess my experience will be
I like that OF Sardanalus Cobb. He wanted a
forty-dollar overcoat, but his wife over
whelmed him with pair Of twenty-cent
suspenders, but he didn't kick; he was
afraid ton aI
sBut you women are all alike,' continued
Symperton. Judge Nicodemus Sykes,
one day just before last Christmas, while
! his wife was out, found drawer locked.
He sent for locksmith, and paid him two
dollars to open the drawer, to find in it q
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21


had gone home Death had come to old
Aunt Polly, an unexpected guest at the
last Mr. Hastings read and re-read the
letter, shook his head and kept saying:
s'Too bad too bad!"
ssBut she was very old, John; too old to
make the journey here. You know the years
count after we reach seventy"
eBut it's the luck. Look at the bad luck.
In all the years we have house-kept, Jenny,
we never were without a Christmas guest
put once"
sand that was the year you broke your
leg and / had typhoid fever"
Sand the best cow in the herd went on
her feed and died"
sand the pork curled in the pan, and
Mildred had the whooping-cough and
chicken-rash together"
Eyes, it's no use to say there's nothing In
It. The laws OF natur' are stricrer than the
law of books. May be it amt too Late to ask
somebody in yet. Where's Mildred"
"She's gone over to visit Barbara Curtis.
John wish our Mildred was married to a
good husband"
"Where'n you find 'ems" asked Mr.. Hast
ings, with CLEAN of hurnor in his eye, ''I'm
not in the market"
ssNo, but Seth Franklin is, and he's loved
our Mildred since they went to school To-
gether." 9,s...e- -rs.-e,~
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21


less, but well-nigh penniless. Mr.. Ellerton
made almost snperhuman efforts to rescue
his dear ones from the devouring flames,
andI though he succeeded, it was at the ex-
pense Of his own life. Kind friends shell
tered the homeless ones for the time, and
Grace wrote to her lover, telling him of
their great loss, and anxiously awaited his
reply and speedy return. sEf.SNfT
But no letter came, her heart grew sick
with hope deferred, land then her pride rose;
she was longer the petted daughter of
millionaire, but poor girl and if she had
been mistaken in her lovers fidelity, she
would not be the object of his pity. + So. she
determined to be independentof all friends,
and after securing the pittance which was
all that these helpless women could claim,
she took her mother and hid away from her
fashionable friends, and tried to earn their
living. How many times she longed for the
quick business mind which could have
evoked system from this chaos, and have.
rescued a competence from the unscrupu-.
lous partners who assured her there was
aothing more for them in the wreck of the;
great business which her father had built,
up. What could she do? She had always
been distinguished for her taste in dress,
and her exquisite toilettes were the envy of
many of her friends. This seemed to be her
most available talent and she sought and.
obtained situation in Madam Moore's
fashionable establishment, and was soon
intrusted with the designing Of the most
elaborate and particular parts of the elegant
costumes sent out from those rooms 81
And thus twas that Grace Ellerton was
busy making the garment that her former
friend Constance Bolton expected to wear
at the grand fancy ball she was to give on
Christmas eve, five years after her own
disappearance from society. She never
was seen by madame's patrons; her work
was to elaborate and complete the garniture
of the costumes ordered. In this case it
was likewise labor Of love, for pretty
Constance had been very dear to her in
former days, and only her own pride had
prevented continuance of their friend
ship, for she had so effectually concealed
herself from all her friends, that even
Constance had no idea of herpositipnr
The costume was for a fairy and Grace.
had allowed her fancy and taste full play in,
the design and execution of the dainty
fabric. Itwould suit her sweet FACE, and
petite form well, dear little Constance; she
thought OF the many times her own stately
beauty had been seen in contrast with her
friends, and the sharp contrast now brought
o sigh to the proud lips which seldom
murmured. - Us E~ss# @
But the costume was complete and must
be delivered at once, for it was almost time
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
The UNSPEAKABLE> GIFT.

0 menl with sin defiled, T
Could you accord unto your Lord
No better place than this
When all for you He willingly
Gave up the realms Of bliss9
Professed followers of Him,
Oh! is it SO to-day?
Are you, who boast an ardent love,
Always more true than they?
Does the best part Of your poor heart
Hold the Redeemer's face,
Or do you only grant to Him
Some mean and lowly place?
Sad, weary shepherd keeping watch
Tonight in fields of care,
~ Look up, and see the shining one,
The glory every where.
"Fear not, he cries, 'sthe gladssurprisey
The olden peace bring,
For unto you again is born q
Your Saviour and your King" ~
Just as of yore in midnight skies
Appears the angel. throng, RI 1ean.
And all the starry worlds resound
With bursts of Heavenly song
What tidings blest Of Joy and resti
Shall any turn away, e
Refusing still the high command
To find the Christ to-day?
The truly wise, behold they como
Obedient to His starl -r, 10
Ger hill and plain and raging sea
They gather from afar,
And at His feet pour treasures sweet
That never can grow old, -
The best frankincense of the heart,
It's precious myrrh and gold.
t'tt1 JULIA FL. THAYER
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
MRS. CoBB's PRESENT.

was Smith. His wife was the best little
woman in the world. She worked like q
slave He had never given her Christmas
present before, but one Christmas he made
an exception She gave him beautifully
quilted silk dressing gown, and in return he
gave her new buck-saW to replace the
dull one she was using, so she would not
have to work so hard during the winter
saving up the wood for the stove. The poor
woman thanked him with tears in her eyes
at this unexpected kindness and considera-
tion.'
Mrs. Symperton sadly shook her head at
the recital of this act of cruelty
Speaking of saving wood" said Tommy,
ct want fiddle for Christmas want to
learn how to play on the fiddle. I want
gun, too.''
'I'd rather get you the gun than the fid-
die. The gun kills the quickest" said Sym
perton, who dislilzes music.
''If pa is going to have pair of slippers
want them padded. l don't want MIN to
wear any other kind. Billy Jones' ma uses
bootjack. He says she has corns on the
inside of her thumb from using it on him so
much" ....
'Don't be afraid Tommy; Parson Smothe-
~ will get all the slippers" remarked Mr.. S.
"Yes," remarked Tommy, sboys and
but the ceremonies amt the same; at least
I don't suppose they are; but, then, I've
never seen clergyman presented with a
pair of slippers
"There is one thing I'll never be able to
understand" continued Symperton, sand
that is why all the ladies in the congrega-
ton present the preacher with slippers.
One would suppose from the number of
slippers he gets that he is centipede and
has hundred feet. I have been told that
the shoe firms make regular bids to clergy
men for their slippers. They have barrels
of slippers on tap By the way, saw Syl-
vanus Binks few days ago. What do you
suppose he is going to give his wife2''
II have no idea"
"a new piano." vw
s'But Mrs. Binks can't p1ay.',
'"That's just the reason Binks gets her a
piano You don't suppose he would be such
a fool to buy her piano if she could play.
He buys it to set off the parlor.n
''Our teacher don't thumpus on tbs head
no more when we get together and talk in
school, observed Tommy. 80
''Why don't he?''
because he knows we are talking about
that present we are going to give him. He
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

memories of other Christmas Ewes, when
she, too, had been belle, and queened it
royalty in her set. Her father had been
wealthy, and the close of her first season
in society was marked by her engagement
to Walter HarcCurt, ga splendid MATCH"
the wise ones said. Soon after the be-
trothal, Mr.. Harcourt was obliged to go
to Europe. He was detained longer than
he expected, but letters were frequent, and
Grace was happy in anticipating his return.
The great fire Of 1871 swept over her ma
tive city, and not only Left her family home
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
Took Christmas by the Pollock.

"Where have you been until lis hour OF
the night, Mr., Meeka' question: his wife
in metallic tones, after shes hi watched
him place his muddy boots on he family
Bible and carefully stow his slhat under
the bed. "Where have you bn, I sayr'
sRoun' wiz re boyish carollm' less CAROL
lin, M love, thash all. It's Chrimush eve.
y know" replied Meek, Is ha Hled under
the covers. -
Christmas eveh It's three clock on
Christmas morning."
Ssh tha' So Funny fa'-hct. Mer'
Chrisnus. M dear. Err been lvin' mine
yeshd y eyenin'. Goo'-night.n
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
UNDER THE MISTLETOE.
a Search for a Fairy That Proved
Fruitless.

RACE ELLERTON
sat with busy fingers
and aching b e a d
a n d b e art in
Ma d a m M oor els
dress-making estab-
lishment; her fin
gers were busy with
the finishing of an
exquisite, fancy cos
tune for Miss Con-
stance Bolton, the
belle of the season.
Her head and heart
were filled wit h
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
THE SYMPERTONS.
They Discuss Christmas Tommy
Also Offers Few Suggestions.

R. and Mrs. Symper-
ton were sitting in
their parlor one even
ing not long before
Christmas. Their son
L o m m y, a m e r g
youth, was busy read
ing "Pe ck' s B a d
Boy" and mixing oc-
casionally in the con-
yer s a tion. M r s.
SVIn merton WAS a
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
BROWNS NEW YEARS vow.

S>>-~1S-957e9 IL 1edrS Day.
"God-byev' exclaimed his help-mate, "now,
Remember, dear, your New Years VOW"
"This time I'll keep it, sure as life"
He smiled, and kissed his happy wife.
Each time he passed liquor shop
He looked away and wouldn't stop.
He met three cronies on the street:
''Come in,'' they urged we want to treat"
"Nol I've sworn off, Brown nobly said,
"My nose shall not be painted red"
Hurrah p they cried, we'll swear of, too,''
(This shows what good examples do)
"There's nothing now can make me fall"
Brown thought, as he went in to '.call"
"A happy New Years, ladies r' cried
Our hero, bowling, when inside. ,,f
''The same to you, and many MORE"
The ladies answered. as Of yore.
For just five minutes altogether
The angels talked about the weather,
Then led Brown to the table, where
They heaped his plate with New Years fare.
Poor Brownl He balanced on his knees
That plate, and tried to hold sneeze .,u.'..
Which, bursting like thunder clap,
Shot plate and all from off his lap.
"Ol Mr.. Brown, you've taken cold"
Cried out the ladies, young and old.
Alas upon that table stood
Decanters filed with no ones good.
And danny hands commenced to fill
The glasses, to allay Browns chill.
"Ahemr' Brown blushed, and gave cough,
. L lodi
80, New Years day don't count" they smiled,
AS, Eve-li1e, they poor Brown beguiled.
And, Adam-liEe Brown fell anew,
Because the ladies asked him to-
soft white hand presented brandy
Brown drank-then felt quite like andy.
Another offered him some sherry;
He drank it, and grew very merry.
A wife and mother gave him whisky;
Another port; Brown now was frisky.
"Q4ic). Happy New Year (hic) I shay
Lots Of 'em, ladiesl (hic) Hoo-rayir'
And then-the truth shall here be told,
He kissed each female, young and old.
"Helpi Murderl Thievesi Policel" they
shriel1ed,
While husbands mad, rushed in and wreaked
On Brown their vengeance, till, most dead,
With shattered vows and broken head,
He in an ambulance was sent
To face his wife, and there repent.
MORAL
Now, ladies near, and ladies far,
Don't keep on New Years Day bar,
For many man slips off the brink
When women tempt him thus to drink.
Another's husband, son-perhaps
Your own-may from these New Year traps
His ruin find. o, ladies, all,
Care for the Browns, who'll on you CALL
H. G. DODGE.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
Didn't Have to Resort to WIDER

Whereare You going today asked Mrs
Bellows Of her usband on Chrmas morn
ing. II presume you intend leave me
at home as usaalso
You presume about righthen- for
am going gunning,' answeredr husband,
as he placed small cannisterer the reg
lister.
What is in that cans"
3" Damp POWDER
4aGood graciousi Takeit. that regis.
sr. Do you want to blow yo'elf urF'
so, no, don't have to that. Youth
do it for me quick enough wout powder.,,~
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21
SETH'S COURTING;
Or Better Late Than Never-A
Christmas Story.
~ ETH FRANKLIN had

ETH FRANKLIN had
been in love with
pretty Mildred Hast
ings ever since she
was in pinafores and
he in roundabouts,
and was accustomed,
as boy and youth, to
blush violently every
time he met her.
s b e always ''made
fuo11 of him in tho
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-21

: It was Christmas eve. At the Hastings
homestead there was unusual quiet, and an
absence of the customary merrlment of past
seasons. Some of this was due to a letter
Father Hastings had received that day
which brought news from far country. A
guest invited to spend Christmas with them
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-02-05

NJ, Spuller, who was recently in
this city, in an interview recently
upon his Impressions of America,
said that he thought in the way OF
material comfort we We're fur ahead
of the Frenchp that he feared the in
creasing number Of large fortunes
would eventually make the social
question u troublesome problem for
us that the American press is badly
edited, from a foreign point of view,
giving too often exaggerated and
false naws; that darkenness is too
prevalent. especially among the weal-
thy classes; and, finally, that he saw
a certain reviva, of sympathy for
France among our people, who tof 80
long Il time have hav We battered the
German element far political rea
sons.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-02-05

Archbishop Ryan, of Philadelphia,
has been asked by some of the Cath
olics in that city to check the lean
Ing towards elaborate music in the
Catholic cholrs of that city. The
loudest complaint has been made
concerning st. Johns Church. The
specific complaints are that the mus
ic selected is often secular, taken
from well known operas; that the
fame of st. Johns choir and its pro-
auctions have gone abroad, and at
tract large numbers of people to the
services who are neither communi-
cants Of the church MOI even profess
ors of the Catholic faith, coming
merely to crafty thir taste for music.
The complaint also states that the
presence of these outsiders IL often
Objectionable, because in the inter-
walls OF the music, during the sermon
or reading, they behave unbecoming-
ly, and disturb those who are pres
ent for worship. The decision of the
Archbishop, which is forthcoming,
says the Record, is eagerly watched
for by a great number Of people who
are directly interested in church
music.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-02-05

Don't forget; you can get any paper
published in the United State at
greatly reduced rates by ordering the
same through US, and In clubbing
wish We GAzETTE.
The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-02-05

A modiste in louisville, KY, has
brought suit against a young couple
of that city for the value of the wife's
tr~OuSSeau.